Big field of candidates tipped for Melbourne

A “Caulfield Cup" of candidates is expected to put their hand up to run for the seat of Melbourne following the resignation of long-serving Labor frontbencher Bronwyn Pike, an expert has said.

Monash University political scientist Nick Economou said he expected “all sorts" of candidates run in the byelection with the Labor-held seat in danger, with Ms Pike’s departure leaving it open to the Greens to claim it.

“That would be a historic outcome," he said.

“And no doubt it will add to the crisis enveloping the Labor Party in both state and federal politics. I’m not sure if her decision to leave at this time is in the party’s best interest."

The Greens hold the federal seat of Melbourne after a deal was struck with the Liberal party directing its preferences to the Greens.

“I think the Greens will go hard to win it," he said.

“They will do more than drive around on motorbikes with the candidates face stuck to a billboard on the back."

A spokesman for the Liberal Party said the party was “considering its options".

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However, Mr Economou said it was unlikely the Liberal Party would run a candidate.

“It is a lot of potential grief for no apparent return," he said.

“It won’t be like the Niddrie contest. I think the Melbourne byelection will be quite interesting. I would say prominent independents will pop up and cash in on the 27 per cent Liberal vote."

Dr Economou did not expect the Liberal Party, if they were to run a candidate, to direct their preferences to the Greens.

He said Ms Pike’s resignation would come as a disappointment because she presented herself for the 2010 election but doesn’t feel she can “go the distance" in opposition.

Ms Pike said it seemed the “right time to move on" and her contribution to public life had finished.

The 56-year-old entered parliament in 1999 and served in several senior ministerial positions in the Labor government, including the health and education briefs.

She said she was “absolutely" confident Labor could hold the seat.

“It is really only the Coalition or Labor who can form a government," she said.

“The real question will be whether [Premier] Ted Baillieu has the courage to stand a candidate. I think it is important the Liberals give the people of Melbourne the opportunity to have a genuine choice in the election."

Ms Pike said she had no job to go to but was looking forward to beginning a “really big job".

Ms Pike’s departure from the Opposition, led by Daniel Andrews, will spark the third byelection since Labor’s state election loss, following those of the seats of former premier John Brumby and former deputy premier Rob Hulls.

While both of those byelections were in relatively safe seats, Labor held Melbourne with a 4.4 per cent margin against the Greens at the last election.

Greens MP Greg Barber said the party “absolutely" had another Adam Bandt to run in the byelection because that was what the electorate needed.

When asked whether it would be better for the Greens if the Liberal Party did or didn’t run, he said: “Who knows? The voters in this area will make up their own minds."

He was equally non-committal when asked about doing a preference deal.

“We’re not talking about preferences, we’re talking about people’s primary votes," he said.

Mr Barber said the official report on the 2010 election confirmed voters in the seat of Melbourne were less likely to follow how-to-vote cards than those in other electorates.

He said the Greens would preselect a candidate shortly.

“We will be running preselection over the next week or so, where we will be spoilt for choice," he said.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said the byelection would be a “challenge" for Labor.

“It won’t be easy," he said.

“I’m confident we’ll have a strong candidate who has a good understanding of the local area."

He denied the party needed a “renewal" and said he was unaware of any other party members considering resigning.